By Jessica Murray
Until you or someone you know is arrested, you may not be familiar with the bail process. So what, exactly, are your options to post bail bonds in Santa Clarita?
When a person is arrested in California, they are first brought to a local law enforcement agency — like the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station — to be booked and incarcerated, according to Inessa Chavez of All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita.
“After you are arrested and booked, you have multiple options for release,” Chavez said. “These include cash bonds, surety bonds, property bonds, own recognizance and citation release.”
The arrestee can decide to be released on cash bail, where they would post their entire bail amount with the court in order to be released from jail.
These bonds are designed to ensure the person will appear at their court appearances until the end of their case. If they do so, the money will be returned to them, acting as incentive.
Related: Bail Bonds In Santa Clarita: Providing Personal, Confidential, Reliable Service
However, if the defendant skips bail and fails to appear in court, their money paid to the court is automatically forfeited.
“Because most people don’t have the money upfront to post a cash bond, the most common release option is the use of a surety bond from a bail bonding company like All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita,” Chavez said.
The premium for a surety bond in the state of California is 10 percent, which is paid to the bail agent at a bail bonding company like All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita. The bail agent is guaranteeing the court they will pay the bond forfeiture if the arrestee fails to appear in court.
“This means the bail agent now has a financial interest in making sure that the defendant doesn’t skip bail,” Chavez said.
Related: Bail Bonds In Santa Clarita: Bail Eligibility
A property bond is another release option, though uncommon, in which the court uses a lien on property as collateral to appear in court.
Being released on OR, or own recognizance, is another rare option when the defendant attempts to be recommended to the court for release based on an interview with a staff member of the program.
An arrestee may also choose a citation release, which means they are issued a citation notifying them that they must appear at a scheduled court date.
“At All American Bail Bonds in Santa Clarita, our bail agents can answer any questions you have regarding release options,” Chavez said. “We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to walk you through the process.”
“With Us You Are Never Alone”
23360 W. Valencia Blvd. #E
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
661-255-2245
Call Toll Free: 888-755-2245
24 hours a day — 7 days a week
If your loved one is in custody and they wish to talk to an All American Bail Bonds representative, call:
818-990-0003 or 661-267-6777